MN Energy Stories Blog from CERTshttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog?field_technology_tid=All&field_community_tid=All&field_answers_post_region_tid=All
The MN Energy Stories Blog brings you news about clean energy projects and opportunities happening across the state.enSolar installation at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa sparks community interesthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/1HY9fq55kdA/solar-installation-lutheran-church-cross-nisswa-sparks-community-interest
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>Shortly after receiving a Central <span class="caps">CERT</span> Seed Grant, the <a href="http://lccnisswa.org/">Lutheran Church of the Cross</a> (<span class="caps">LCC</span>) in Nisswa, MN installed a 7.56 kW ground-mounted photovoltaic system. This system not only saves the church 10% on their electricity costs, but also educated their youth and demonstrated the benefits of renewable energy to their community to ensure environmental stability and sustainability.</strong></p>
<p>After five years of planning, this renewable energy project was completed in May 2016 and was designed and installed by <span class="caps">RREAL</span> (Rural Renewable Energy Alliance). The project was led by LCC’s Creation Care Team to meet the church’s eco-spirituality mission to lead by example in sustainability efforts. Their primary goal was to educate and demonstrate energy-efficiency and renewable energy technology to their congregation of 1,500 members, youth, and the regional community.</p>
<p>For the church community, this project has been a source of pride. The renewable energy system is highly visible to all who attend and a popular source of conversation. On top of impacting the Nisswa community, the church is also located in a tourist area with many seasonal visitors who attend church or other community activities at the church, making <span class="caps">LCC</span> a great place to help expand further sustainability efforts.</p>
<p>“Receiving the <span class="caps">CERT</span>s grant showed the congregation there was strong support outside the congregation and gave the project credibility in the eyes of the congregation and the community,” said Craig Fink, one of project leaders.</p>
<p>After just two months, there is already talk of possible expansion of the solar array and two additional churches nearby have inquired about the project and asked for assistance implementing similar projects at their facilities. Energy efficiency was also a component of the ninth grade curriculum, which involved using the solar array as an example of creation care and stewardship.</p>
<p>To further educate the community about solar energy, the <span class="caps">LCC</span> project, and other earth care activities, an EarthCare Fair was held on June 18, 2016. Over 200 people attended and it included booths, youth and family activities, demonstrations, presentations by experts, and explanations of how LCC’s new solar array functions. Sarah Hayden Shaw, Central <span class="caps">CERT</span> Coordinator, also gave a presentation on solar energy and other <span class="caps">CERT</span>s activities.</p>
<p>“Sarah was very supportive, attending the project open house and participating in the EarthCare Fair. We anticipate turning to Sarah as a future resource,” Fink said. </p>
<p>The fair was widely publicized in many regional newspapers, radio, church bulletins, signage, and flyers posted around the Nisswa region. The <span class="caps">LCC</span> Creation Care Committee hopes this fair will springboard larger, ecumenical EarthCare Fairs to come! See news stories about the project below.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Lakeland Public Television</strong> <br />
<a href="http://lptv.org/solar-panel-installation-at-lutheran-church-of-the-cross-in-nisswa-2/"><strong>Solar Panel Installation at Lutheran Church of the Cross In Nisswa</strong></a><br />
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dt5n_GFY72s?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Brainerd Dispatch</strong> <br />
<a href="http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/4023375-caring-creation-nisswa-church-installs-solar-panels"><strong>Caring for creation: Nisswa church installs solar panels</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Pine and Lakes Echo Journal</strong> <br />
<a href="http://www.pineandlakes.com/news/4030200-lutheran-church-cross-installs-solar-panels"><strong>Lutheran Church of the Cross installs solar panels</strong></a><br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3>Project Snapshot: <br />
<br />
</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Project:</strong> 7.56 kW Ground-Mount Photovoltaic System</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Nisswa, MN</li>
<li><strong>Activity:</strong> Implementation, Outreach</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong> Solar PV</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> Reduce congregations’ electricity costs by 10% and carbon footprint and to educate and demonstrate renewable energy technology to the congregation, youth and regional community.</li>
<li><strong>Total Project Cost:</strong> $39,000</li>
<li><strong>Central <span class="caps">CERT</span> Seed Grant:</strong> $5,900</li>
<li><strong>Annual Energy Generation:</strong> 9,615 kWh</li>
<li><strong>People Involved:</strong> 50</li>
<li><strong>People Reached:</strong> At least 6,000<br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <h3> <strong><span class="caps">CERT</span>s awards seed grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We&#8217;ve awarded over $1 million in Seed Grants since 2006. <a href="/blog-series/seed-grants">Click here</a> to see more Seed Grant blog posts or <a href="/projects">click here</a> to see more past funded projects.</strong> </h3> </td>
<td> <img src="/sites/default/files/certs-seed-grants-money.gif" alt="CERTs Seed Grants" title="CERTs Seed Grants" width="350"> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/Cen-LCC_ExhibitB_photoOpenHouse.jpg?itok=4y8jQucx" width="480" height="288" alt="Solar installation at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, MN" title="Solar installation at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, MN" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/central">Central</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/solar/pv">Solar Photovoltaic (PV)</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/faith-groups">Faith Groups</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/seed-grants">Seed Grants</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/1HY9fq55kdA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 07 Dec 2016 21:42:38 +0000Peter Michaels5487 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/solar-installation-lutheran-church-cross-nisswa-sparks-community-interestLED retrofit brightening up Biwabik City Hallhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/etB00njYfCQ/led-retrofit-brightening-biwabik-city-hall
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>The <a href="http://www.cityofbiwabik.com/">City of Biwabik</a> is located in Northeast Minnesota with a population of about 1,000 citizens. As of late, this town has been actively focusing efforts on reducing their electricity usage. They decided to begin with Biwabik City Hall, which had been illuminated with 62 inefficient lights for the past 20 years. A $2,000 Seed Grant from Northeast <span class="caps">CERT</span> provided funding for project labor costs.</strong></p>
<p>Originally, the plan was to replace all 62 light fixtures in the facility, but due to the quality of lighting supplied by the new <span class="caps">LED</span> fixture they were able to brighten the building using only 52 fixtures. This happy surprise engendered even more savings for the city’s taxpayers. Due to the success of the project, the City of Biwabik is now moving their efforts on to improving the lighting in their Public Works garage and the City Hall parking lot.</p>
<p>When asked what advice he would give others who are interested in a similar project, Dave Sherek, the Biwabik Public Utilities Commission Chairman, said &#8220;The project was so smooth and successful we would recommend to go full steam ahead.&#8221;</p>
<p>Overall, the facility now offers a much cleaner, whiter light due to the installed <span class="caps">LED</span> fixture. Since the City Hall is one of the most visited facilities in the town, the City of Biwabik hopes this will inspire many others to also install energy efficient lighting in their homes!</p>
<h3>Project Snapshot: <br />
<br />
</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Project:</strong> 52 <span class="caps">LED</span> Interior Light Fixtures in City Hall</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Biwabik, MN</li>
<li><strong>Activity:</strong> Implementation</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong> Energy Efficient Lighting</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> Save electric energy and costs to the city as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
<li><strong>Total Project Cost:</strong> $10,013.92</li>
<li><strong>NE <span class="caps">CERT</span> Seed Grant:</strong> $2,000</li>
<li><strong>Annual Energy Savings:</strong> 9,617 kWh</li>
<li><strong>People Involved:</strong> 12</li>
<li><strong>People Reached:</strong> 969<br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <h3> <strong><span class="caps">CERT</span>s awards seed grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We&#8217;ve awarded over $1 million in Seed Grants since 2006. <a href="/blog-series/seed-grants">Click here</a> to see more Seed Grant blog posts or <a href="/projects">click here</a> to see more past funded projects.</strong> </h3> </td>
<td> <img src="/sites/default/files/certs-seed-grants-money.gif" alt="CERTs Seed Grants" title="CERTs Seed Grants" width="350"> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/biwabik-city-hall-blog.jpg?itok=MbJ43M_V" width="480" height="288" alt="Biwabik City Hall" title="Biwabik City Hall" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/local-governments">Local Governments</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/local-government-energy-action">Local Government Energy Action</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/story-series/seed-grants">Seed Grants</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/etB00njYfCQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 07 Dec 2016 19:20:23 +0000Peter Michaels5486 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/led-retrofit-brightening-biwabik-city-hallFifth graders at St. Dominic Parish School in Northfield learn the importance of energy efficiencyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/snefshan2ls/fifth-graders-st-dominic-parish-school-northfield-learn-importance-energy-efficiency
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>In the 2015-2016 school year, 5th grade students at <a href="http://schoolofstdominic.org/">St. Dominic Parish School</a> in Northfield focused their learning on helping the environment. Their mission was to find all the electronic devices in their school and identify the biggest ‘energy hogs.’ At the end of the school year, these students presented their findings at an energy fair and created a plan to help improve their school’s energy efficiency!</strong></p>
<p>As of late, St. Dominic Parish School has been leading by example when it comes to environmental stewardship. In the past two years, the parish has installed 678 4-foot <span class="caps">LED</span> bulbs and replaced their old steam furnace with a new 95% efficient hot-water boiler. However, they didn&#8217;t stop there. During the 2015-2016 school year, the focused shifted to educating their fifth graders on helping the environment through energy-saving changes to their behavior.</p>
<p>For the Energy Hog Scavenger Hunt, the 5th graders were responsible for taking inventory of all the electronic equipment in St. Dominic Parish School, testing how much energy is being used with a kill-a-watt meter, and identifying the most energy-wasting equipment&#8212;the energy hogs. With the <a href="http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/news/local/article_d8646b4f-a2c8-52f7-ac31-f877d6aa3911.html">help of the SE <span class="caps">CERT</span> grant</a> and the parish’s Environmental Care Team, these fifth graders learned about the school’s recent deep energy improvements, as well as the energy-saving opportunities through behavior changes, and the value of these changes to reduce their energy use.</p>
<p>According to George Kinney, the project organizer, &#8220;Ideas for starving the energy hogs included: turning off the coffee maker, printing only necessary items and back-to-back printing, turning off the <span class="caps">SMART</span>boards when not in use, and getting rid of the mini-fridges. We also made signs for each room to remind everyone to turn off the lights.&#8221;</p>
<p>In April 2016, the students reported their findings at the school’s <a href="http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/community/article_d8228fe1-2e29-5e1c-a76f-a784cce44580.html">Energy Fair</a>. Families and parishioners learned about the impact of changes already made at the school and ways to save energy they hadn’t thought of before!<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Students share their experiences</h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong>What did you learn from this experience?</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;Definitely how to think about how much energy we use.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;That even if you think you&#8217;re doing good, you can always go the extra mile. I learned this from a guy named Joe Beckman&#8230; he asked my class if would you want to be known as the difference maker or the difference faker.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I learned what are the best sources and the most efficient sources of energy. I know to shut all the lights off when I leave a room. I didn’t know a lot about global warming and now I know more than most people.&#8221; (&#8230;HA :) </p>
<p>&#8220;That it is super super important to save energy, because our Earth is becoming destroyed because of our choices. Thing like animals are dying and home are becoming wrecked.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;That everyone can make a change. You don’t have to be big to make a big change in the world. Everyone can make a difference. I hope that I can make a big impact on our planet.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;That soon the whole earth will be torn apart. In our last climate change shocker, it said, “The next generations will remember us as the people who destroyed Earth, or the people who finally came through and saved it.” Because we had our energy fair, we have a chance of being remembered as the people who saved Earth. That is what I learned from this experience.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Do you have other ideas for how to educate people and help make a change?</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;Maybe getting deeper facts instead of just saying polar bears are dying. Also I would like try to interview more people. Last I would go around town and put posters up.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>What did you like best about this project?</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;I liked taking time and effort to share what we learned about the environment and educating our town about the bad things happening to it. I also liked auditing and learning about energy hogs including microwaves, dishwashers, showers, and laundry machines. I am definitely more aware of what is happening to the environment and how I can help stop it.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>On a scale from 1-10, how has this year changed how you think about your energy use?</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;A total 10! I think from now on I&#8217;m going to be way more conscious about my energy use!&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I would say ten. I used to never turn off my lights, but now that we’ve done all of this stuff, I always go around the house turning off the lights before we go somewhere. And, if I leave a room and forget to turn off a light, I always turn around and turn the light off.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>At the fair, do you think or know that you taught someone something? What was it?</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;Yes, I think I taught people more about The Encyclical and what they can change at home. And what Laudato si means and what it says and some quotes from The Encyclical. And what the effects we have on nature just by using energy.&#8221; <br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>What did you like best about this project?</strong></p>
<p>&#8220;How it was a learning experience, normally I don’t like things like this, on how we have to research things, but this one stuck out to me because we need to learn how our actions are harming the earth and we need to fix that. But before I didn&#8217;t care so much about my energy use. But now when I look back, I see that was horrible for me to do. Now I see how bad that was, but I’m glad we did this because I learned it’s not too late to fix what I did.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I loved it when we got to tell people about energy because I want people to save it.&#8221;<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Project Snapshot: <br />
<br />
</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Project:</strong> Curriculum and educational activities centered on energy efficient building upgrades and energy efficient behavior change opportunities</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Northfield, MN</li>
<li><strong>Activity:</strong> Education, Outreach</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong> Behavior Changes</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> Educate parents, teachers, staff and the wider parish community about energy conservation and reducing one’s carbon footprint, using the parish examples of deep energy improvements alongside behavior changes for conservation.</li>
<li><strong>Total Project Cost:</strong> $241,145</li>
<li><strong>SE <span class="caps">CERT</span> Seed Grant:</strong> $4,000</li>
<li><strong>Annual Energy Savings:</strong> 1,784 kWh</li>
<li><strong>People Involved:</strong> 30</li>
<li><strong>People Reached:</strong> 250<br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <h3> <strong><span class="caps">CERT</span>s awards seed grants to community groups for energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Minnesota. We&#8217;ve awarded over $1 million in Seed Grants since 2006. <a href="/blog-series/seed-grants">Click here</a> to see more Seed Grant blog posts or <a href="/projects">click here</a> to see more past funded projects.</strong> </h3> </td>
<td> <img src="/sites/default/files/certs-seed-grants-money.gif" alt="CERTs Seed Grants" title="CERTs Seed Grants" width="350"> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/stdomenergyhog.jpg?itok=U3MUObWC" width="480" height="288" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/schools">Schools</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/seed-grants">Seed Grants</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/snefshan2ls" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 06 Dec 2016 22:36:50 +0000Peter Michaels5489 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/fifth-graders-st-dominic-parish-school-northfield-learn-importance-energy-efficiencyBrighten your holidays with LED lights that save energy and moneyhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/ZuE1hUF4VgU/brighten-your-holidays-led-lights-save-energy-and-money
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <h3>Are you still stringing the same old incandescent decorative lights for the holidays?</h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong>For many Minnesotans, the house, porch, shrubs and trees are donned with holiday lights. Depending on one’s holiday lighting enthusiasm, a home can save between $10 to $250 each holiday season by switching to <span class="caps">LED</span> holiday lighting.</strong></p>
<p>This is because, according to the Department of Energy, <span class="caps">LED</span> holiday lights save up to 90% of the energy used by traditional incandescent holiday lights. <span class="caps">LED</span>s are also safer, sturdier, longer lasting, and easier to install.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/lights-on-pup_0.jpg" align="right" alt="" /> <strong>Fill your stocking with energy savings:</strong> For every old holiday lighting string recycled and replaced with more efficient <span class="caps">LED</span> holiday lighting, 19 kilowatt-hours of electricity are saved over the course of the holiday season. This is the same amount of energy as a common <span class="caps">CFL</span> household light bulb would use if left on for 24 hours a day for 2 months straight!</p>
<p><strong><span class="caps">ENERGY</span> <span class="caps">STAR</span> is the way to go:</strong> When shopping for new holiday lights, look for the <span class="caps">ENERGY</span> STAR® label to ensure that the product meets strict federal energy efficiency guidelines. <span class="caps">ENERGY</span> <span class="caps">STAR</span>-qualified lighting, as well as appliances and electronics, use less energy than their older, inefficient counterparts. <span class="caps">ENERGY</span> <span class="caps">STAR</span>-qualified <span class="caps">LED</span> decorative lights are an economical choice because they use 75 percent less power than conventional lights and they can last up to 10 times longer.</p>
<p><strong>Other advantages of <span class="caps">LED</span>s include:</strong>
<ul>
<li><ins>Safe.</ins> <span class="caps">LED</span>s are cool to the touch, reducing the risk of fire.</li>
<li><ins>Durable.</ins> <span class="caps">LED</span>s do not have moving parts, filaments or glass, so they are much more resilient and shock-resistant than other light strings.</li>
<li><ins>Wide range of choices.</ins> <span class="caps">LED</span>s are available in a variety of colors, shapes and lengths.</li>
<li><ins>Up-to-date features.</ins> <span class="caps">LED</span>s offer the latest features and functions such as dimming and color shifting.</li>
</ul></p>
<p><strong>Learn more:</strong>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/12/24/holiday-light-energy-efficiency"><strong>Minnesota Public Radio story on <span class="caps">LED</span> holiday lights</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/energy-efficient-holiday-decorating-tips"><strong>Energy-efficient holiday decorating tips from <span class="caps">DOE</span></strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&amp;pgw_code=DS"><strong>Holiday lighting buyer&#8217;s guide from <span class="caps">ENERGY</span> <span class="caps">STAR</span></strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.energy.gov/articles/how-do-holiday-lights-work"><strong>How holiday lights work from <span class="caps">DOE</span></strong></a><br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <a href="/ryh/rebates"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/led-holiday-light-web.jpg" title="Click here to see utility rebates in Minnesota" alt="Click here to see utility rebates in Minnesota" /></a> </td>
<td> <h3>Utilities offer <span class="caps">LED</span> holiday lighting rebates</h3> <br />
<br />
<strong>Many electric utilities in Minnesota offer rebates for <span class="caps">LED</span> lights in general, and for holiday lights specifically. <br />
<br />
<a href="/ryh/rebates">Click here to see utility rebates in Minnesota</a>.</strong> <br />
<br />
If your utility is not listed, contact them directly to see if they have a rebate. </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> &nbsp; </td>
<td> &nbsp; </td>
</tr>
</table>
<h3>Be sure to recycle your old holiday lights!</h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/guy-with-light-knot.jpg" title="Recycle that old tangle of lights" alt="Recycle that old tangle of lights" /></p>
<p><strong>Year round drop-off locations for holiday light recycling include:</strong>
<ul>
<li>Andover Recycling Center – 1685 Crosstown Boulevard, Andover, MN 763-767-5175</li>
<li>Becker County Courthouse (3rd floor by Zoning Dept.) – 915 Lake Avenue, Detroit Lakes, MN</li>
<li>Becker County Transfer Station – 24413 County Hwy 144, Detroit Lakes, MN</li>
<li>Carver County Environmental Center – 116 Peavey Circle, Chaska, MN 952-361-1835</li>
<li>Chisago County Household Hazardous Waste Facility – 39649 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN 651-213-8921</li>
<li>City of Elk River – 13065 Orono Parkway, Elk River, MN 763-635-1073</li>
<li>Itasca County Transfer Station &amp; Waste Management – 29959 County Road 62, Grand Rapids, MN 218-328-5801</li>
<li><span class="caps">PHASE</span> Recycling – 104 Main Street, Sandstone, MN 320-425-2246</li>
<li>Ramsey Household Hazardous Waste Facility – 5 Empire Drive, St. Paul, MN 651-633-3279</li>
<li>Rice County Recycling Center &amp; Landfill – 3800 E 145h St., Dundas, MN 55091 507-332-6833</li>
<li>St. Louis Park Rec Center – 3700 Monterey Drive, St. Louis Park, MN 952-924-2540</li>
<li>Scott County Household Hazardous Waste Facility – 588 Country Trail E (Hwy 282), Jordan, MN 952-496-8652</li>
<li>Steele County Waste Management Recycling Center – 1171 Brady Boulevard, Owatonna, MN 507-456-4894</li>
<li>Washington County Environmental Center – 4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury, MN 651-430-6655<br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul></p>
<h3>Spread the Cheer (and Savings)</h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span class="caps">FOR</span> <span class="caps">TWITTER</span>:</strong></p>
<p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Brighten your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/holidayseason?src=hash">#holidayseason</a> with <span class="caps">LED</span> lights that save <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/energy?src=hash">#energy</a> and money! MN utilities offer rebates, too. Details: <a href="https://t.co/3uvmNZJGez">https://t.co/3uvmNZJGez</a> <a href="https://t.co/G2TrOE8gyQ">pic.twitter.com/G2TrOE8gyQ</a></p>&mdash; <span class="caps">CERT</span>s (@MNCERTs) <a href="https://twitter.com/MNCERTs/status/804743183724847105">December 2, 2016</a></blockquote><br />
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong><span class="caps">FOR</span> <span class="caps">FACEBOOK</span>:</strong></p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcleanenergyresourceteams%2Fposts%2F10154812475019851%3A0&width=500" width="500" height="391" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true"></iframe><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/led-holidays-clark-effect.png" width="640"></p>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <a href="/blog-series/get-answers"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/GetAnswers.png" width="100" title="Get Answers blog series" alt="Get Answers blog series"></a> </td>
<td> <strong>The Get Answers series on the Energy Stories Blog offers useful tips from <span class="caps">CERT</span>s and our partners to help you get to the bottom of your energy efficiency and renewable energy questions.</strong> <a href="/blog-series/get-answers"><strong>Click here to see more stories in the series &gt;&gt;</strong></a> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/holiday-leds-blog_0.jpg?itok=0kTx4UVh" width="480" height="288" alt="LED holiday lights - More merry and less money" title="LED holiday lights - More merry and less money" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/central">Central</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/northwest">Northwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/southwest">Southwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/west-central">West Central</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/residents">Residents &amp; Neighborhoods</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/get-answers">Get Answers</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/ZuE1hUF4VgU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 01 Dec 2016 19:53:01 +0000Dan Thiede5471 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/brighten-your-holidays-led-lights-save-energy-and-moneyAustin Utilities opens new energy efficient facilityhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/x3HaSMmX48I/austin-utilities-opens-new-energy-efficient-facility
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>Austin Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit electric, water, and natural gas utility, serving more than 12,000 customers within a community of over 23,000 people in Austin, MN. The utility officially opened its new, energy-efficient 105,000 sq. ft. Service and Operation Center at the end of July. We interviewed General Manager Mark Nibaur to learn more.</strong><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>Tell us a little bit about the new building.</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Mark Nibaur:</ins></span></strong> <img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/mark-nibaur.jpg" width="150" align="right" alt="Mark Nibaur" title="Mark Nibaur"> The building allowed Austin Utilities to consolidate departments operating out of seven different buildings and three properties. The new facility has all operations from customer service, administrative, gas/water/electric construction, meter shops and labs for all three utilities, warehouse, vehicle storage and fleet repair. The new building would be labeled as a “Typical Midwest Utility and Public Works” style. The facility incorporates an overhang as a passive solar sunshade&#8212;the original window locations was based on Venetian system to bring light into rooms&#8212;and the clerestory with high windows was added to bring in light to a central area. This is a style that has been used for at least 75 years and was used by Frank Lloyd Wright extensively.</p>
<p>Several other features of the building also follow Wright’s theory of &#8220;form follows function&#8221;. Curved walls were designed to relieve boredom of square corners, to add some interest to the spaces, and to provide spaces for impromptu conferences. We were seeking to capture as much daylight as possible, hence corridor glazing was added to light the corridors and pull light into the inner offices from outer offices, as well as drawing light from a clerestory area. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/austin-entrance.jpg" title="A very welcoming entrance" alt="A very welcoming entrance" /><br />
<em>A very welcoming entrance.</em><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>What type of energy efficiency or renewable energy systems are included?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Mark Nibaur:</ins></span></strong> The building features a geothermal heating and cooling system. The system has 15 horizon wells and is controlled by an advance management system. <span class="caps">LED</span> lighting is used throughout the building and outside to enhance and provide security to the overall facilities. The lighting is dimmable in most locations and is controlled with occupancy sensors. The building takes advantage of natural lighting by utilizing a clerestory design, sky lights, sky light tubing and glass garage doors. A special window treatment in our large meeting room is tint-on-demand to maximize or minimize sunlight penetration. The facility incorporates a solar wall, utilizing passive heat to assist in a pre-heat to our vehicle garage space. We will be installing a 4kw photovoltaic system in the near future. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/austin-fleet.jpg" title="Vehicle garage space with passive solar heating and LED lighting" alt="Vehicle garage space with passive solar heating and LED lighting" /><br />
<em>Vehicle garage space with passive solar heating and <span class="caps">LED</span> lighting.</em><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>Any surprises (good or bad) about the project you can share? Any advice to give others looking at a similar project?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Mark Nibaur:</ins></span></strong> We used a Construction Manager model to construct our building. The model allowed the contractor and architect to work through the construction document phase to create a check and balance method for optimum efficiencies. I believe the working partnership we had between construction manager, architect, and owner was crucial for the project to meet budget and timeline expectations. It was truly a team effort. We also worked hard to inform and educate our community on the utility needs and working conditions. This was helpful to gain support through the whole process of planning, designing, construction, and moving into the new facility.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.austinutilities.com/"><strong>Click here to learn more on the Austin Utilities website &gt;&gt;</strong></a></p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/austin-construction.jpg" title="Building during construction" alt="Building during construction" /><br />
<em>Building during construction.</em><br />
&nbsp; </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/austin-blog.jpg?itok=BGHylB2-" width="480" height="288" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/ground-source">Ground Source Heating &amp; Cooling</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/solar/pv">Solar Photovoltaic (PV)</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar/thermal">Solar Thermal</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/utilities">Utilities</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/x3HaSMmX48I" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 30 Nov 2016 22:30:03 +0000Joel Haskard5473 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/austin-utilities-opens-new-energy-efficient-facilityGreenway Office Building in Minneapolis adds solar electric system using PACE financinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/0rd_HUYX1U8/greenway-office-building-minneapolis-adds-solar-electric-system-using-pace-financing
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>The Greenway Office Building&#8212;located a block from the intersection of Lake Street and Hiawatha in Minneapolis&#8212;epitomizes green buildings both in design and location.</strong></p>
<p>Built in 1999 by the Green Institute (a former <span class="caps">CERT</span>s partner organization), the building includes solar PV, geothermal heating and cooling, and a green roof. Constructed to many of the design points of <span class="caps">LEED</span> (Leadership Energy Efficient Design) this <span class="caps">ENERGY</span> <span class="caps">STAR</span> building hosts many nonprofit and for-profit tenants working toward better housing and a more energy independent future. Wellington Management recently utilized <span class="caps">PACE</span> financing to replace the building&#8217;s aging solar PV array.</p>
<p><strong>What is <span class="caps">PACE</span>?</strong> Property-Assessed Clean Energy (<span class="caps">PACE</span>) is a new way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to the buildings of commercial property owners. Energy-saving measures pursued by the owners receive project financing and are repaid as a separate item on their property tax assessment for a set period. <span class="caps">PACE</span> eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing.</p>
<p>To learn more about the project, Diana McKeown, Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span> Director at Great Plains Institute (a key tenant at the Greenway Office Building), interviewed Dave Bergstrom, Chief Operating Officer at Wellington Management, Inc.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><hr></p>
<h3><strong><em>What motivated you to apply for <span class="caps">PACE</span> financing?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/DaveBergstrom_WellingtonManagement.jpg" align="right" title="Dave Bergstrom with Wellington Management" alt="Dave Bergstrom with Wellington Management" /> <strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Dave Bergstrom:</ins></span></strong> Originally, the ownership (Greenway Office <span class="caps">LLC</span>) planned to utilized the 30% tax credit to assist in paying for the solar array, but unfortunately this wasn’t possible and additional funding was required to cover the loss of the tax credits. <span class="caps">PACE</span> provided that necessary financing.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>How was the experience of going through Saint Paul Port Authority’s <span class="caps">PACE</span> program?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Dave Bergstrom:</ins></span></strong> Even though we were only the fourth <span class="caps">PACE</span> project financed by the City of Minneapolis, Pete Klein at Saint Paul Port Authority and Wellington’s finance team made the process flow smoothly. Anytime a large amount of money is funded there will be paperwork attached, but the team made this process relatively seamless. <br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>What did the project entail and how did <span class="caps">PACE</span> help make it possible?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Dave Bergstrom:</ins></span></strong> The <a href="http://www.wellingtonmgt.com/property/greenway-office-building">Greenway Office Building</a> installed a used 37kW solar photovoltaic system in the early 2000s utilizing a battery system. When it came time to replace the batteries a second time, ownership looked at the option to replace the existing system with a new 80kW system which would feed directly into Xcel Energy&#8217;s electrical grid and bypass the need for batteries. Not only did this remove the need for battery replacement every five years, the new panels are significantly more efficient doubling the electrical output in a footprint one-third as large as the original 37kW system.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>What are you getting out of the project?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Dave Bergstrom:</ins></span></strong> We wanted to upgrade our existing solar photovoltaic array, reduce the footprint of the array to reduce roofing costs in the future, avoid the cost of replacing batteries every five years, and reduce energy and the impact on the environment. We succeeded on all counts. In comparison from 2009, when Wellington first took over management of the Greenway Building, to 2015 (the first full year of operation with the new array), we’ve seen a reduction of thirty seven percent (37%) in total kwh consumption. Fifteen percent (15%) of the savings is attributable to lighting retrofit that occurred in 2009/2010 and the remaining portion to the additional solar panels.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>Would you recommend this to other businesses/property owners?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Dave Bergstrom:</ins></span></strong> We have done two <span class="caps">PACE</span> loans so far on different properties and anticipate doing more in 2017. This is a great program that avoids a large capital outlay, reduces the operating cost for our tenants and reduces the environmental impact to the planet—a win all the around.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <h3> <strong>Property Assessed Clean Energy (<span class="caps">PACE</span>) is a new way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to the buildings of commercial property owners.</strong> <br />
<br />
Energy-saving measures pursued by the owners receive project financing and are repaid as a separate item on their property tax assessment for a set period. <span class="caps">PACE</span> eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing. <br />
<br />
<a href="/pace"><strong>See more resources and available programs &gt;&gt;</strong></a> </h3> </td>
<td> <a href="/pace"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/mn-pace-logo.png" title="See more resources and available programs" alt="See more resources and available programs" /></a> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/greenway-solar.jpg?itok=0ceMSw3_" width="480" height="288" alt="Solar array financed with PACE atop the Greenway Office Building in Minneapolis" title="Solar array financed with PACE atop the Greenway Office Building in Minneapolis" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/community-solar">Community Solar</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar/pv">Solar Photovoltaic (PV)</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/businesses">Businesses</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/pace">PACE</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/0rd_HUYX1U8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:30:04 +0000Diana McKeown5399 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/greenway-office-building-minneapolis-adds-solar-electric-system-using-pace-financing12 ways to save energy this heating seasonhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/pqzImWcLMsE/12-ways-save-energy-heating-season
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>There are some basic energy-saving steps we can all take to keep the warm air in and our utility bills down this fall and winter. A few simple no-cost or low-cost measures can make a big difference for the safety, comfort and efficiency of our homes.</strong></p>
<p>The Minnesota Commerce Department, which includes the State Energy Office, offers the following tips:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Get an energy audit.</strong> The first step to energy efficiency is an <a href="http://www.mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/save-energy-money/energy-tips.jsp#/detail/appId/2/id/81231">advanced home energy assessment</a> to diagnose the best ways to save energy. An audit can be arranged through your utility or a nonprofit energy group. <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Lower your thermostat.</strong> When you are at home or awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you are asleep or away from home, turn your thermostat down about 10 degrees—either manually or with a <a href="http://www.mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/save-energy-money/energy-tips.jsp#/detail/appId/2/id/248431">programmable thermostat</a>. This can reduce your heating bill by about 10 percent. <br />
<img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/tip-light-night.jpg" alt="" /> <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Take advantage of heat from the sun.</strong> Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. <br />
<img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/tip-curtains.jpg" alt="" /> <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Cover drafty windows.</strong> Tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months to reduce air leakage around windows. <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Weather strip and caulk</strong> windows and doors to eliminate air infiltration. <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Seal air leaks</strong> to prevent cold air infiltration around chimneys, vents, pipes and wires. Plugging air leaks is one of the most cost-effective ways to conserve energy and increase comfort—and is the key to <a href="http://www.mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/save-energy-money/energy-tips.jsp#/detail/appId/2/id/81297">preventing ice dams</a>. <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Close your fireplace damper</strong> when a fire is not in use and install airtight doors to prevent warm air from escaping. If the fireplace is no longer used, seal the flue with an inflatable plug. <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Maintain your heating system.</strong> Have your <a href="http://www.mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/save-energy-money/energy-tips.jsp#/detail/appId/2/id/259072">furnace or boiler inspected annually</a> to ensure maximum efficiency and safety. Also consider replacing mechanical systems if they’re old or inefficient, and clean or replace furnace filters regularly as needed. For wood and pellet-burning heaters, clean the flue vent and the inside of the appliance to improve efficiency. <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Turn down the temperature of your water heater</strong> to 120 degrees F. Not only will this save energy, it will reduce the danger of scalding. <br />
<img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/tip-water-temp.jpg" alt="" /> <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><a href="http://www.mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/save-energy-money/energy-tips.jsp#/detail/appId/2/id/81462"><strong>Use light-emitting diode—or LED—holiday light strings</strong></a> to reduce the expense to decorate your home for the holidays. <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Upgrade to <span class="caps">LED</span>s</strong> for your entire home lighting. <span class="caps">LED</span>s are the <a href="/lighting/guide">most efficient and longest lasting bulbs</a>. <br />
<img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/tip-bulbs.jpg" alt="" /> <br />
<br />
</li>
<li><strong>Look for the <span class="caps">ENERGY</span> STAR® label</strong> when purchasing new household products. <a href="https://www.energystar.gov/"><span class="caps">ENERGY</span> <span class="caps">STAR</span></a> signifies strict energy efficiency and reliability guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.</li>
</ol>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <a href="/blog-series/get-answers"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/GetAnswers.png" width="100" title="Get Answers blog series" alt="Get Answers blog series"></a> </td>
<td> <strong>The Get Answers series on the Energy Stories Blog offers useful tips from <span class="caps">CERT</span>s and our partners to help you get to the bottom of your energy efficiency and renewable energy questions.</strong> <a href="/blog-series/get-answers"><strong>Click here to see more stories in the series &gt;&gt;</strong></a> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/doc-der-tips-blog.jpg?itok=0YBIp-_G" width="480" height="288" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/central">Central</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/northwest">Northwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/southwest">Southwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/west-central">West Central</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/residents">Residents &amp; Neighborhoods</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/get-answers">Get Answers</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/pqzImWcLMsE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 01 Nov 2016 18:33:36 +0000MN Dept. of Commerce5403 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/12-ways-save-energy-heating-seasonResidents plug in at Woodbury Community Solar Garden Workshop and Developer Fairhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/AQmJHCKQu7M/residents-plug-woodbury-community-solar-garden-workshop-and-developer-fair
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>On October 27th, 2016 around 40 people gathered at Woodbury City Hall to learn about community solar gardens and network with experts and developers.</strong></p>
<p>Community Solar Gardens are centrally located solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that produce electricity for participating subscribers. They&#8217;re great for people that want to go solar but are unable to do so on their own. Attendees lived in apartments or condos, had shaded roofs at home, didn’t have space for solar, or were simply interested in learning more.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Workshop Agenda: <br />
<br />
</h3>
<ul>
<li>Terry Chaney from the Neighborhood Energy Connection kicked off the meeting talking to attendees about energy efficiency opportunities and programs that people should consider when going solar. <a href="http://thenec.org/">Learn more about programs</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Next we heard from Lissa Pawlisch, <span class="caps">CERT</span>s Statewide Director, about the basics about community solar, followed by details like pricing, contracts, and comparing developers. <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solargardens">Get resources and tools Lissa discussed here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Finally, attendees spent time networking with <span class="caps">CERT</span>s, <span class="caps">NEC</span>, and the three community solar garden developers who joined us for the event. Learn more about <a href="http://www.cleanenergyprojectbuilder.org/csg/able-energy-dakota-1-10">Able Energy</a> and <a href="http://www.cleanenergyprojectbuilder.org/company/cooperative-energy-futures">Cooperative Energy Futures</a>, and <a href="http://www.cleanenergyprojectbuilder.org/company/minnesota-community-solar">MN Community Solar</a>.<br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3>See presentations from the workshop: <br />
<br />
</h3>
<p><iframe src="//www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/i2mNspAPVXg9w2" width="595" height="485" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" style="border:1px solid #CCC; border-width:1px; margin-bottom:5px; max-width: 100%;" allowfullscreen> </iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/WoodburyWorkshop_10_27_2016.pdf"><strong>Download slides &gt;&gt;</strong></a><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Watch video of the workshop: <br />
<br />
</h3>
<p><iframe width="640" height="480" frameborder="0" src="https://swctc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=5984&autostart=0&embed=1"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://swctc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&amp;clip_id=5984"><strong>Watch video at <span class="caps">SWCTC</span> &gt;&gt;</strong></a><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <h3> <strong>Community Solar Gardens are centrally-located solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers. Could it work for you?</strong> <br />
<br />
Are you interested in going solar but unable to do so on your own? Perhaps you live in an apartment, have a shaded roof at home, or don’t have space at your organization. </h3> <br />
<h3> <strong>Where do you want to start?</strong> <br />
<ul><li> <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solargardens">Learn the basics</a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solargardens#subscribers">Get subscriber resources</a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solargardens#current">See currently available programs</a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solargardens#faq">Answer frequently asked questions</a> </li></ul></h3> </td>
<td> <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/solargardens"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/web-cmty-solar-logo_1.png" title="Community Solar Gardens" alt="Community Solar Gardens" /></a> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/woodbury-blog_0.jpg?itok=aGdBt3tq" width="480" height="288" alt="Attendees at Woodbury community solar gardens workshop" title="Attendees at Woodbury community solar gardens workshop" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/community-solar">Community Solar</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar/pv">Solar Photovoltaic (PV)</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/local-governments">Local Governments</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/project-planning/residents">Residents &amp; Neighborhoods</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/AQmJHCKQu7M" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Mon, 31 Oct 2016 16:46:50 +0000Lissa Pawlisch5398 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/residents-plug-woodbury-community-solar-garden-workshop-and-developer-fairSolar PV the star of Red Wing clean energy tourhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/ZvSZXTtejUU/solar-pv-star-red-wing-clean-energy-tour
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>On September 26, over twenty five people joined the Southeast <span class="caps">CERT</span> tour of the City of Red Wing’s clean energy projects.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Maintenance Shop:</strong> The tour began at Red Wing Public Works Maintenance Shop, where participants learned about Red Wing’s recycled waste oil from fleet vehicles used to partially heat the public works building, <span class="caps">LED</span> street lighting, and production of 87,800 kW/h from two solar arrays. The maintenance shop is net negative energy, as the electricity is provided by solar and they use waste oil from other projects to heat the shop.</p>
<p><strong>City Hall:</strong> Folks then carpooled downtown to see the solar installation over the City Hall Car Port, which not only generates power but has the added benefit of shading parked cars in the summer and providing cover from the snow in the winter. “People love it and try to get here early to park to the winter,” said Jay McCleary, retired Public Works Director who led the tour.</p>
<p><strong>Fire Station:</strong> Tour participants were led through the historic fire station, up a ladder, and climbed onto the roof where they saw solar PV installations, in addition to the scenic river bluffs. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/red-wing-blog-fire.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<em>SE <span class="caps">CERT</span> tours solar atop the Red Wing Fire Station.</em></p>
<p><strong>Red Wing’s Solar Financing at a Glance:</strong>
<ul>
<li>Red Wing’s solar installations were funded through a Power Purchase Agreement (<span class="caps">PPA</span>) with NewPort Partners, a finance, tax, and credit company out of California. The City also used Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards program and Made in Minnesota rebates.</li>
<li>NewPort Partners owns the solar arrays, through a 6 year power purchase agreement. After 6 years, ownership then transfers to the city. The City was originally promised 20% but the panels have already surpassed that.</li>
<li>The entire process cost $2 million, though Red Wing&#8217;s investment was only the price of the carport ($105,000), and the payback will be $2.25 million. The solar installations produced more energy than was initially anticipated as it was set up to help Xcel Energy during peak demand.</li>
<li>Red Wing used a revolving fund which allowed them cascade savings to fund future energy projects.</li>
</ul></p>
<p><strong>City goals:</strong> “The City of Red Wing has three goals for these projects,” said Tina Folch, contracts administrator. “We want to save money, cut energy and reduce our carbon footprint, and educate others.” Tina noted that by using B3 benchmarking, a free tool available to all local governments in Minnesota, Red Wing was able to see they cut their carbon emissions by 55%.</p>
<p><strong>Tips for others:</strong> Asked if he had any advice for other cities hoping to do projects similar to Red Wing’s, McCleary said “If you can speak to a City Administrator’s wallet, they will listen. But they need to have interest. City Commissions can help.” McCleary invited folks to call on him as an ambassador for creating similar projects in their communities.</p>
<p><strong>Businesses join in, too:</strong> McCleary noted that several area businesses have solar installations that have seen 10 year paybacks or less. “If it’s smart business for a small business, it’s a good investment for a small government, too,” he said.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Learn more about solar in Red Wing <br />
<br />
</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/Presentation-Jay_RedWingSolar.pdf"><strong>Download Jay&#8217;s slides about solar in Red Wing</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/major-energy-action-city-red-wing-partnering-efficiency-and-solar"><strong>Read case study about Red Wing solar projects</strong></a><br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h3>See <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mncerts/albums/72157672165452793">photos</a> from the event</h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
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<p><hr></p>
<p><a href="/get-answers-more/193"><img src="/sites/default/files/LGEA_logo2.png" align="right" title="Local Government Energy Action" alt="Local Government Energy Action" width="212" height="150" /></a> <strong>About the Local Government Energy Action Series:</strong></p>
<p>This effort tells the stories of Minnesota municipalities, counties, and schools and the tangible results of their energy-saving efforts to inspire others to take their own actions. <a href="/get-answers-more/193"><strong>See all stories in this series &gt;&gt;</strong></a><br />
&nbsp; </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/red-wing-blog.jpg?itok=jGZTZpcN" width="480" height="288" alt="SE CERT tours Red Wing solar projects, including this carport at City Hall" title="SE CERT tours Red Wing solar projects, including this carport at City Hall" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/biofuels">Biofuels</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/solar/pv">Solar Photovoltaic (PV)</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/local-governments">Local Governments</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/local-government-energy-action">Local Government Energy Action</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/ZvSZXTtejUU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:13:30 +0000Chris Meyer5387 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/solar-pv-star-red-wing-clean-energy-tourCommunity efforts in the spotlight at Metro CERT 2016 Annual Eventhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/7okpgV_cWcs/community-efforts-spotlight-metro-cert-2016-annual-event
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>Nearly 200 people attended the 9th annual Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span> event on October 18th at the University of St. Thomas for a two-part afternoon event followed by networking.</strong><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>An energy-efficient venue:</strong> Elise Amel, psychology professor welcomed attendees to the Anderson Student Center, the first <span class="caps">LEED</span> certified project on the St. Thomas campus.
<ul>
<li>The building is designed to reduce energy use by 17% beyond code requirements, attained in the following ways:
<ul>
<li>Building insulation by thermal envelope</li>
<li>High-performance windows and glazing</li>
<li>Lighting and temperature controls</li>
<li>Variable air volume controls</li>
<li>Daylight sensors for light fixtures</li>
<li>High-efficiency pumps, motors and fans</li>
<li>Additional high-efficiency equipment</li>
</ul></li>
</ul></p>
<ul>
<li>92% of all regularly occupied spaces have individual occupant electricity controls.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>In 2014 we added 96 photovoltaic panels manufactured by tenKsolar in Bloomington, MN and installed by Cedar Creek Energy. On average they will produce 56,000kwh/year for the next 25 years, roughly equivalent to 3.2% of the total annual electrical consumption of the <span class="caps">ASC</span>.</li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/UST-solar-web.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<em>Solar energy production at <span class="caps">UST</span> Anderson Student Center.</em><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Recommend Steering Committee Members:</strong> There was also a pitch for new Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span> steering committee members. If you are interested in joining the Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span> steering committee please send a few paragraphs to Diana at <a href="mailto:dmckeown@gpisd.net">dmckeown@gpisd.net</a> by the end of the day on Wednesday, November 23, 2016.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Community Spotlights:</strong> The highlight of the event was the Community Spotlight. We heard from five communities across the Metro that are working on clean energy projects. All of these projects were assisted by Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span> with either a seed grant or staff assistance via the Clean Energy Accelerator.
<ul>
<li>A community-wide effort in Chisago County &#8211; <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/Jill_Behnke_ChisagoEnergyHub.pdf"><strong>Download presentation</strong></a></li>
<li>A City Fleet Assessment in Elk River &#8211; <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/Kristin_Mroz_ElkRiverFleet.pdf"><strong>Download presentation</strong></a></li>
<li>Faith outreach via Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light &#8211; <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/Trevor_Leuzinger_InterfaithPower.pdf"><strong>Download presentation</strong></a></li>
<li>Engaging the Marcy Holmes neighborhood of Minneapolis to consider energy efficiency and solar options</li>
<li>The very successful Solar Garden Collaborative that brought 31 local governments together to issue a single <span class="caps">RFP</span> for Community Solar Garden subscriptions &#8211; <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/Leah_Hiniker_SolarGardenCollab.pdf"><strong>Download presentation</strong></a></li>
</ul></p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/community-spotlights.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<em>Community spotlight presenters answer audience questions.</em><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>New Approaches:</strong> In the second half, we heard about new approaches to taking advantage of energy efficiency and solar resources at the community level.
<ul>
<li>Brian Ross, Great Plains Institute, talked about opportunities for solar development and shared the term “solar reserves” akin to gas and oil reserves. Turns out we have <span class="caps">LOTS</span>. <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/Brian_Ross_SolarReserves.pdf"><strong>Download presentation</strong></a></li>
</ul></p>
<ul>
<li>Jenny Edwards, Center for Energy and Environment, focused on energy efficiency as a local resource. Jenny described a top down and bottom up principle for taking action. She also shared how people can <a href="https://www.xcelenergy.com/working_with_us/municipalities/community_energy_reports">gain access to community-wide energy consumption data for Xcel Energy customers</a>, and shared how communities are moving forward with efforts with community energy planning to reduce energy use. <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/Edwards__EE-as-a-local-resource.pdf"><strong>Download presentation</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/jenny-brian.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<em>Jenny Edwards and Brian Ross gave local resources presentations about solar energy and energy efficiency.</em><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Live Polling:</strong> For the second year, we utilized a <a href="https://www.mentimeter.com/s/a7ad323eafea3e710c90eb76203fbd6b/873ae962cdf5">live polling technology</a> to engage the attendees to explore where they were from, what they were passionate about and what clean energy topics are most important to them. The polling information will be used as the Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span> Steering Committee decides on key priorities for the Metro region later this fall. </p>
<p><div style='position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; padding-top: 35px; height: 0; overflow: hidden;'><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='true' allowtransparency='true' frameborder='0' height='315' src='https://www.mentimeter.com/embed/a7ad323eafea3e710c90eb76203fbd6b/873ae962cdf5' style='position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;' width='420'></iframe><br />
</div><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Networking:</strong> As always, the networking at the end of the event provided a chance to see good friends and make new connections with community members, local government staff, and professionals committed to renewable energy and energy efficiency while enjoying food and beverages.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Photos:</strong> You can check out <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mncerts/sets/72157671931223734">photos</a> of people connecting and earlier portions of the event below.</p>
<p><object width="640" height="425"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmncerts%2Fsets%2F72157671931223734%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmncerts%2Fsets%2F72157671931223734%2F&set_id=72157671931223734&jump_to="></param> <param name="movie" value="https://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=261948265"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=261948265" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmncerts%2Fsets%2F72157671931223734%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fmncerts%2Fsets%2F72157671931223734%2F&set_id=72157671931223734&jump_to=" width="640" height="425"></embed></object></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/diana-introduces-metro-staff_0.png?itok=6iUlCtPI" width="480" height="288" alt="Diana McKeown introduces Metro CERT Staff at Annual Event" title="Diana McKeown introduces Metro CERT Staff at Annual Event" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/7okpgV_cWcs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 26 Oct 2016 16:58:49 +0000Diana McKeown5383 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/community-efforts-spotlight-metro-cert-2016-annual-eventWinners announced for Clean Energy Community Awards from Minnesota Department of Commercehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/R33XC0Ieq6w/winners-announced-clean-energy-community-awards-minnesota-department-commerce
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>Eight communities are receiving 2016 Minnesota Clean Energy Community Awards from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The program recognizes communities that contribute to the state’s clean energy goals by implementing programs, policies, and technologies that encourage energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy generation. The eight awardees and their clean energy efforts are summarized below.</strong><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<table>
<tr style="background:#005397;">
<td> <a name="faq"></a><h2> &nbsp; <span style="color:white;">Achievement Awards</span> </h2> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<h3>City of Hutchinson</h3>
<p><strong>Clean Energy Generation: Capped Landfill Solar Development</strong><br />
In November 2015, the City of Hutchinson completed construction of a 400 kW solar array constructed on a capped landfill. The array is the first of its kind in Minnesota and will be a model for ushering in the solar revolution in Minnesota while minimizing environmental impacts of solar arrays.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>City of Minneapolis</h3>
<p><strong>Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership</strong><br />
The Minneapolis Clean Energy Partnership (<span class="caps">CEP</span>) is a new approach that partners the City of Minneapolis in a unique way with Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy, its electric and gas utilities, to help the City reach its Climate Action Plan and Energy Vision for 2040 goals of 30% greenhouse gas reduction by 2025 and 80% reduction by 2050. The <span class="caps">CEP</span> is a collaborative leadership framework through which the City and utilities study, prioritize, plan, coordinate, implement, market, track, and report progress on clean energy activities in the City.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>City of Morris</h3>
<p><strong>The Morris Model: Catalyzing Community Resilience, Energy Conservation and Clean Energy Planning and Action</strong><br />
Over the past 12 months, the City of Morris has launched several complementary initiatives with diverse partners to incorporate clean energy and conservation goals into its overall community planning efforts. These efforts were developed in close partnership with the University of Minnesota, Morris (<span class="caps">UMM</span>). We have also worked with local partners (Stevens County, Horizons Public Health, SW- <span class="caps">RSDP</span>) and statewide collaborators (Eutectics, <span class="caps">LLC</span>, Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams, Institute on the Environment, Jefferson Center, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy). In particular, there are three main planning and commitment efforts that highlight Morris’s approach. The City calls it “the Morris Model.”<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>City of St. Cloud</h3>
<p><strong>City of St. Cloud’s Renewable Energy and Efficiency Initiative (<span class="caps">REEI</span>)</strong><br />
The City’s Wastewater Utility’s Resource Recovery and Energy Efficiency master planning efforts in 2014 was the catalyst that developed into identifying citywide renewable energy and efficiency opportunities. There is a paradigm shift occurring in the wastewater treatment industry. Treatment facilities are now considered resource recovery facilities. Everything that enters a treatment facility can be reused or converted into a resource. Examples include extracting the phosphorus from the wastewater to be used as a fertilizer and capturing the biogas generated during the treatment process to be used as a fuel source to generate electricity. These initiatives are included in the current Resource Recovery and Energy Efficiency Master Plan. These efforts transpired into the City’s Renewable Energy and Efficiency Initiative that looked at opportunities that could be implemented citywide and communitywide. This initiative includes: 2015 Solar Initiative, 2015-16 Wastewater Energy Efficiency &amp; Biogas (E2B) Project, 2016 Street Light Improvement Project (<span class="caps">SLIP</span>), and the development of a communitywide Energy Action Plan thorough Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy Program.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Minnesota Air National Guard, 133 AW</h3>
<p><strong>Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings and Infrastructure</strong><br />
The Minneapolis, Minnesota Air National Guard is a long-standing leader within the Air National Guard and the local community when it comes to optimizing facility energy efficiency. While executing federal and state missions, the base decreased their total annual energy intensity (<span class="caps">KBTU</span> per square feet) by 40% from 2003 to 2015; it decreased their total annual water intensity (<span class="caps">GAL</span> per square feet) by nearly 50% from 2007 to 2015. They have accomplished these impressive reductions through a comprehensive strategy that includes local policy, community partnership, user education, and replicable technical initiatives including retro-commissioning, high efficiency system upgrades, submetering, and <span class="caps">HVAC</span> controls. They were the most engaged Air National Guard base nationwide for 2015 Energy Action Month, because they place a continual effort on reducing their facility energy intensity. Going forward, the base is working toward 25% energy intensity reduction from 2015 to 2025 and a continued water intensity decrease. Results include saving tax-payer money, decreased reliance on power supply (and therefore more capable to support missions during commercial power outages), and of course cleaner air.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<table>
<tr style="background:#005397;">
<td> <a name="faq"></a><h2> &nbsp; <span style="color:white;">Planning Awards</span> </h2> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<h3>Chisago County</h3>
<p><strong>Chisago County Clean Energy Hub</strong><br />
The Chisago County Clean Energy Hub is a citizen-driven, countywide initiative to advance clean energy economic development across the Chisago County, with a focus on energy efficiency and solar energy projects. Community leaders have identified clean energy as a prime economic development strategy aligned with the region’s significant natural resources. The Chisago County Clean Energy Hub is a partnership between Chisago County Housing and Redevelopment Authority – Economic Development Authority (<span class="caps">HRA</span>-<span class="caps">EDA</span>), the Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce, the Chisago Lakes America’s Best Communities competition group, Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams (Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span>s), and Eutectics. The Hub’s goal is to facilitate at least $40 million in direct project investment, above and beyond the 134 MW of utility-scale and community solar garden projects currently in development in the County. Hub activities are focused on under-served market segments, including: Main Street businesses and small- and medium-sized nonprofit organizations; small- and medium- sized public buildings; multifamily properties, and single-family residences across Xcel Energy, rural cooperative and municipal utility service territories.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Cities of Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls</h3>
<p><strong>Targeting Energy Efficiency in Wastewater Treatment Plants</strong><br />
The City of Pelican Rapids and the City of Fergus Falls both renovated their wastewater treatment plants by pairing energy-efficient upgrades with rebates available through Otter Tail Power Company’s Conservation Improvement Program.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe</h3>
<p><strong>Minnesota Solutions to Energy Poverty</strong><br />
This initiative will deploy the first 100% low-income community solar installation in the State of Minnesota, and the first community solar installation in the nation on Tribal Lands. The installation will further provide a unique capacity-building occasion to support training and renewable employment opportunities for Leech Lake Band members. Select construction trades trainees will obtain their Registered Unlicensed Electrician license and receive hands-on training in solar installations, positioning them for a growing number of clean energy job opportunities across the state and beyond. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is collaborating on this effort with the grantee, the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (<span class="caps">RREAL</span>). A 501&#169;(3) nonprofit that has been advancing the use of solar energy to address low-income fuel poverty for over 15 years, <span class="caps">RREAL</span> has been removing barriers to participation in the renewable energy market by delivering solar energy systems to low-income people and communities. RREAL’s mission is to provide a permanent and renewable solution to the ongoing problem of energy poverty in the United States. <span class="caps">RREAL</span> has served hundreds of low-income families.<br />
&nbsp; </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/ceca-blog_0.jpg?itok=CU4C1Hr9" width="480" height="288" alt="Clean Energy Community Awards" title="Clean Energy Community Awards" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/central">Central</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/northwest">Northwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/southwest">Southwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/west-central">West Central</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/local-governments">Local Governments</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/R33XC0Ieq6w" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Tue, 25 Oct 2016 15:39:23 +0000MN Dept. of Commerce5333 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/winners-announced-clean-energy-community-awards-minnesota-department-commerceProject North Star grant to advance Minnesota's solar energy progresshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/gA2Y5PBE0Ro/project-north-star-grant-advance-minnesotas-solar-energy-progress
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>The Minnesota Department of Commerce has been awarded a $2 million grant that will help realize Minnesota’s goal of generating 10 percent of its electricity from the sun by 2030.</strong></p>
<p>The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative, is called &#8220;Project North Star: Illuminating the Way to PV Integration.&#8221; It will combine a stakeholder collaboration process with technical analysis to support Minnesota’s deployment of solar electricity, also known as photovoltaics (PV).</p>
<p>&#8220;Diversifying Minnesota’s energy portfolio with additional solar electricity will create new economic opportunities for people across our state, while reducing our dependence on fossil fuels that hurt our health and environment,&#8221; said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. &#8220;I thank the U.S. Department of Energy for providing the grant, and look forward to working with our Minnesota-based partners to implement it.&#8221;</p>
<p>The state goal of 10 percent solar by 2030 will take Minnesota from 35 megawatts of solar capacity at the end of 2015 to as much as 6 gigawatts by 2030 (one gigawatt equals 1,000 megawatts).</p>
<p>&#8220;This important grant will strengthen Minnesota’s efforts to continue moving forward to a clean energy future,&#8221; said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, whose agency serves as the state energy office. &#8220;Project North Star is an opportunity for the Commerce Department to work together with our many partners and stakeholders to make Minnesota a leading state for solar innovation and deployment.&#8221;</p>
<p>Led by the Commerce Department, Project North Star includes four core partners: Center for Energy and Environment, Clean Energy Resource Teams (<span class="caps">CERT</span>s), Clean Power Research, and Great Plains Institute. It also involves a host of supporting partners, including utilities, local governments, and solar industry representatives.</p>
<p>The project will engage in a wide range of activities with these stakeholders to identify and demonstrate least-cost, best-value strategies for Minnesota to achieve its solar energy goals. This includes the potential of key technologies and management approaches to overcome grid integration challenges with increased solar.</p>
<p><strong>Learn more:</strong>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNCOMM/bulletins/16cc0e7">See press release from MN Department of Commerce</a></li>
<li><a href="http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/project-profile-minnesota-department-commerce-seeds2-ses">Read the official announcement from <span class="caps">DOE</span></a></li>
</ul></p>
<p><strong>About the SunShot Initiative:</strong> The U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative is a collaborative national effort that aggressively drives innovation to make solar energy fully cost-competitive with traditional energy sources before the end of the decade. Through SunShot, the Energy Department supports efforts by private companies, universities, and national laboratories to drive down the cost of solar electricity to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. Learn more at <a href="http://energy.gov/sunshot">http://energy.gov/sunshot</a></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/PBS-Vertical-Color-Black.jpg?itok=6RDQCokx" width="480" height="288" alt="Project North Star in Minnesota receives funding from DOE SunShot Initiative" title="Project North Star in Minnesota receives funding from DOE SunShot Initiative" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/central">Central</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/northwest">Northwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/southwest">Southwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/west-central">West Central</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/civic-organizations">Civic Organizations</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/project-planning/local-governments">Local Governments</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/schools">Schools</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/project-planning/utilities">Utilities</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/gA2Y5PBE0Ro" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:08:31 +0000Dept. of Commerce5391 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/project-north-star-grant-advance-minnesotas-solar-energy-progressEnergy savings taking off at AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji using PACE financinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/hjnd1AQAYBE/energy-savings-taking-aircorps-aviation-bemidji-using-pace-financing
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>Bemidji&#8217;s <a href="http://www.aircorpsaviation.com/">AirCorps Aviation</a> specializes in the restoration, maintenance, and rebuilding of vintage <span class="caps">WWII</span> aircraft. They&#8217;re now working from more comfortable, well-lit, and energy-efficient buildings thanks to lighting and insulation improvements financed with <span class="caps">PACE</span>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>What is <span class="caps">PACE</span>?</strong> Property-Assessed Clean Energy (<span class="caps">PACE</span>) is a new way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to the buildings of commercial property owners. Energy-saving measures pursued by the owners receive project financing and are repaid as a separate item on their property tax assessment for a set period. <span class="caps">PACE</span> eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing.</p>
<p>To learn more about the project, we interviewed Sara Zimmerman, Business Coordinator at AirCorps Aviation.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><hr></p>
<h3><strong><em>What motivated you to apply for <span class="caps">PACE</span> financing?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Sara Zimmerman:</ins></span></strong> <img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/sara-zimmerman.jpg" width="150" align="right" alt="Sara Zimmerman" title="Sara Zimmerman"> One of our company-wide focus areas is to eliminate waste, including wasted energy, so increasing the efficiency of the buildings only made sense. <span class="caps">PACE</span> financing through <a href="/pace#sppa">Saint Paul Port Authority&#8217;s <span class="caps">PACE</span> program</a> provided the opportunity to complete the improvements in an economical way that allows cash on hand to be used for growing the business rather than facility updates.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>How was the experience of going through Saint Paul Port Authority’s <span class="caps">PACE</span> program?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Sara Zimmerman:</ins></span></strong> The eligibility requirements were clear and easily met and the application form was simple. The financial paperwork required by the third party credit union was quite substantial, but I understand that this will be modified in the future. <br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>What did the project entail and how did <span class="caps">PACE</span> help make it possible?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Sara Zimmerman:</ins></span></strong> We chose to bring the R-value of the buildings up to the levels recommended by the report that followed our comprehensive energy audit, which involved using spray foam to insulate the walls of buildings to R21 and the attic of one building to R42.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/aircorps-insulation.jpg" title="Adding insulation to the walls" alt="Adding insulation to the walls" /></p>
<p>We also retrofitted lighting fixtures to <span class="caps">LED</span>s. We upgraded 136 existing indoor T12 8 ft. lamps to <span class="caps">LED</span>s, as well as six outdoor lights to <span class="caps">LED</span>s.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/aircorps-shop2.jpg" title="Easier to see and get work done with new LED lighting" alt="Easier to see and get work done with new LED lighting" /></p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/aircorps-shop1.jpg" title="Easier to see and get work done with new LED lighting" alt="Easier to see and get work done with new LED lighting" /><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>What are you hoping to get out of the project?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Sara Zimmerman:</ins></span></strong> In addition to the energy savings on utility bills moving forward, we are anticipating both gas and electric rebates based on the improvements. We&#8217;ll be getting an Otter Tail Power Company lighting rebate and a Minnesota Energy Resources insulation rebate that will decrease the project cost a good bit. On top of the energy savings, the space is now more comfortable and the lighting is better&#8212;which is important for the detailed work we do.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>Would you recommend <span class="caps">PACE</span> financing for energy improvements to other property owners?</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<strong><span style="color:#76a240;"><ins>Sara Zimmerman:</ins></span></strong> Yes, not only would we recommend <span class="caps">PACE</span> financing as an option for businesses and property owners to consider, we also plan to use the program again in the future. We would encourage local banks to favorably consider a partnership with the <a href="/pace#sppa">Saint Paul Port Authority&#8217;s <span class="caps">PACE</span> program</a>, as well.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/aircorps-sierrasue.jpg" alt="" /><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3><strong><em>We also wanted to give people who made the project possible a chance to say something&#8230;</em></strong></h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
&#8220;Saint Paul Port Authority was proud to provide financing to AirCorps Aviation through <span class="caps">PACE</span>,&#8221; noted Peter Klein, Vice President of Finance. &#8220;It&#8217;s allowing AirCorps to save money on their energy bills while upgrading their facilities and making a more comfortable and productive work environment.&#8221;</p>
<p>“This is a great opportunity for businesses in Bemidji and more broadly in Beltrami County,” noted Anna Carlson, Assistant Sustainability Director at Bemidji State University. “We were happy to work with AirCorps, Saint Paul Port Authority, and Beltrami County to make this work. <span class="caps">PACE</span> eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing.”</p>
<p>Beltrami County expects that many more businesses, churches, nonprofits, and other commercial entities will be using <span class="caps">PACE</span> to finance energy-saving projects. &#8220;Beltrami County’s decision to make <span class="caps">PACE</span> financing available supports the work that we do to be stewards of our natural environment and promoters of local business and industry,&#8221; said Kay Mack, Beltrami County Administrator. &#8220;If local building owners can reduce their energy expenses while also reducing their environmental impact with <span class="caps">PACE</span>, we have created a win/win situation at no cost to our taxpayers. It is simply the right thing to do!&#8221;<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Watch <span class="caps">LPTV</span> news story about AirCorps Aviation Energy Efficiency Improvements</h3>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BR_spfETurk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><hr></p>
<table>
<tr>
<td> <h3> <strong>Property Assessed Clean Energy (<span class="caps">PACE</span>) is a new way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to the buildings of commercial property owners.</strong> <br />
<br />
Energy-saving measures pursued by the owners receive project financing and are repaid as a separate item on their property tax assessment for a set period. <span class="caps">PACE</span> eliminates the burden of upfront costs by providing low-cost, long-term financing. <br />
<br />
<a href="/pace"><strong>See more resources and available programs &gt;&gt;</strong></a> </h3> </td>
<td> <a href="/pace"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/mn-pace-logo.png" title="See more resources and available programs" alt="See more resources and available programs" /></a> </td>
</tr>
</table></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/aircorps-blog_0.jpg?itok=Tfwr9yRp" width="480" height="288" alt="Working on a plane in the newly insulated AirCorps Aviation shop" title="Working on a plane in the newly insulated AirCorps Aviation shop" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northwest">Northwest</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/businesses">Businesses</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/project-planning/utilities">Utilities</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/pace">PACE</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/hjnd1AQAYBE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 13 Oct 2016 17:28:00 +0000Anna Carlson5318 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/energy-savings-taking-aircorps-aviation-bemidji-using-pace-financingMinnesota GreenStep Cities learn about putting energy data to work at recent workshophttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/ESg602Y0nAM/minnesota-greenstep-cities-learn-about-putting-energy-data-work-recent-workshop
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>On October, 5th, 2016 GreenStep Cities staff from across Minnesota gathered for the monthly workshop and webinar, this time to learn all about <em>Energy, Data, and Action&#8212;Oh My!</em></strong></p>
<p>About 25 people attended the workshop in total, including those who attended in person and those who watched via webinar. Everyone who experienced the workshop had a great chance to listen to our presenters discuss a wide variety of topics.<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<p><strong>Agenda &amp; Presentations:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>B3 overview and what’s new – Cheri Schneider, The WeidtGroup</strong> <br />
Cheri Schneider from the Weidt Group, gave a presentation that covered the basics of B3 benchmarking and also discussed some of the new updates to B3.<br />
<a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/01WeidtGroupGreenstepCities_web.pdf">Download presentation</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>B3 Operations Manual – Laura Millberg, <span class="caps">MPCA</span> and Katie Hosch, <span class="caps">GPI</span> Green Corps Member</strong> <br />
Laura Millberg from the <span class="caps">MPCA</span> presented on the new B3 Energy Efficient Operations Manual, which was developed by the Center for Sustainable Building Research. Katie Hosch also gave a short presentation about the hopeful future of her work, working with local governments and the Energy Efficient Operations Manual. <br />
<a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/02LauraM.pdf">Download presentation</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong>Energize Maplewood &amp; Taking Action – Chris Swanson &amp; Shann Finwall, City of Maplewood</strong> <br />
Shann Finwall from the City of Maplewood presented about some of the ways that Maplewood was able to implement new sustainability practices. Chris Swanson from the City of Maplewood also presented about Maplewood, but he used real life examples of Maplewood’s B3 data to show that energy savings was or was not happening. <br />
<a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/03EnergizeMaplewood.pdf">Download presentation 1</a> &nbsp; | &nbsp; <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/04GreenStepCitiesEnergyPresentation.pdf">Download presentation 2</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><strong><span class="caps">LEEP</span> into Energy Savings – Alex Cecchini, Division of Energy Resources</strong> <br />
Alex Cecchini from the Chamber of Commerce presented about the Local Energy Effiency Program (<span class="caps">LEEP</span>) and the Guaranteed Energy Saving Program (<span class="caps">GESP</span>)<br />
<a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/05GSC_WorkshopOct16_LEEP-GESP.pdf">Download presentation</a><br />
&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Listen to the workshop below:</strong> (no video)</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ttr4_xXVEs4?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/GreenStepCalls_5_0.jpg?itok=i_x-ZSKV" width="480" height="288" alt="Minnesota GreenStep Cities" title="Minnesota GreenStep Cities" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/local-governments">Local Governments</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-series field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Story Series:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/story-series/local-government-energy-action">Local Government Energy Action</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/ESg602Y0nAM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:53:42 +0000Katie Hosch5338 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/minnesota-greenstep-cities-learn-about-putting-energy-data-work-recent-workshopStudents flutter to support bees and butterflies around solar installationhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/RYbJH2CIPuM/students-flutter-support-bees-and-butterflies-around-solar-installation
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>Today, students from <a href="http://www.holyrosarymn.org/">Holy Rosary School</a> in Duluth made a positive difference in native northern eastern Minnesota habitats by planting common milkweed, wild bergamot, fragrant giant hyssop and lindleys aster around a new solar PV array at the <a href="http://www.laurentiancenter.org/">Laurentian Environmental Learning Center</a> near Mesabi, Minn.</strong></p>
<p>With everything in place, the enthusiastic students headed outside, shovels in hand, and made a positive difference on the local landscape. The new flowers are planted in their new home, helping to ensure a diverse future for northwoods pollinators.</p>
<p>“I think it’s a great experience for kids to have hands on learning with current environmental issues,” said Kristian Jankofsky, Laurentian Center’s manager. “The kids were able to interact with their environment in a responsible way taking these lessons with them to build a more sustainable future. Pollinator plantings like this support the unique learning experiences that students at the Laurentian Environmental Center get.”</p>
<p>A healthy population of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, is essential to sustaining the diverse forest and wetland communities of the Laurentian Environmental Learning Center’s more than 100-acre campus north of Mesabi, Minn. The common milkweed, wild bergamot, fragrant giant hyssop and lindleys aster plugs the students planted today will provide food and shelter for butterflies, native bees, birds and bats well into the future. </p>
<p>In June 2014, the White House established a Pollinator Health Task Force, which <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/05/19/announcing-new-steps-promote-pollinator-health">released a pollinator health strategy</a> in May 2015. The strategy calls for a nationwide effort to focus on declining pollinator populations. Even small projects that restore pollinator friendly habitat can go a long way toward saving and sustaining pollinators, which includes bees and butterflies.</p>
<p>Like pollinators that partner with native plants to create healthy natural ecosystems, today’s project was made possible by several organizations working together for the common good.</p>
<p><a href="http://greatriverenergy.com/we-provide-electricity/delivering-electricity/faq/tree-removal-vegetation-management/protecting-promoting-pollinators/">Great River Energy</a>, a wholesale electric provider to 28 Minnesota member co-ops including Lake Country Power and Cooperative Light and Power, provided funding for today’s project.</p>
<p>“As a cooperative, Great River Energy has a unique opportunity to lead in pollinator efforts in our local communities,” said Great River Energy representative Marsha Parlow. “We are hearing that people and organizations want to help these native butterflies and bees. That’s where we, as a cooperative, can make a difference. We can provide opportunities to join together, for students to learn and to make a contribution.”</p>
<p>Jeff Stedman said <a href="http://www.prairieresto.com/boreal_natives.shtml">Boreal Natives</a>, the native prairie contractor who partnered on this planting, is dedicated to the important work of restoring the specialized native plant communities associated with the northern portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. They utilize locally grown native seed and plant materials in their projects.</p>
<p>“As many people know, populations of butterflies, bees and other pollinators have experienced a rapid decline in recent years,” Stedman said. “Much of the decline can be attributed to loss or degradation of habitat. These pollinators have co-evolved with our native plants so restoring native plantings wherever possible is essential.</p>
<p>Each restoration, like the one occurring at the Laurentian Center, will help to provide the habitat needed by pollinators and other wildlife.”</p>
<p><strong>Visitors are welcome to visit the pollinator habitat on the Laurentian Center campus near Britt, Minn. See <a href="http://www.laurentiancenter.org">http://www.laurentiancenter.org</a> for hours and details.</strong></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/gre-pollinators-solar-blog.jpg?itok=70sok8IG" width="480" height="288" alt="Holy Rosary students from Duluth plant pollinator habitat around solar installation at Laurentian Environmental Learning Center" title="Holy Rosary students from Duluth plant pollinator habitat around solar installation at Laurentian Environmental Learning Center" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/civic-organizations">Civic Organizations</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/project-planning/schools">Schools</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/utilities">Utilities</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/RYbJH2CIPuM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 07 Oct 2016 17:02:08 +0000Brian Bluhm5336 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/students-flutter-support-bees-and-butterflies-around-solar-installationBrian Bluhm joins CERTs as new coordinator for Northeastern Minnesotahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/VqnkwFPJqsM/brian-bluhm-joins-certs-new-coordinator-northeastern-minnesota
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>The Clean Energy Resource Teams is pleased to announce that Brian Bluhm has been hired as our new coordinator working with communities to advance clean energy across Northeastern Minnesota. Welcome, Brian!</strong></p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/AEOA_logo.jpg" align="right" title="Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency" alt="Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency" /> Brian is based at the <a href="http://www.aeoa.org/">Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency</a>. Brian has a B.A. in Anthropology and a M.Ed. in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Active in sustainability education for over 10 years, Brian is also the Executive Director for the <a href="http://irpsmn.org/">Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability</a> and Coordinator of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/therutabagaproject/">Rutabaga Project</a> to increase local and nutritious food access in NE MN.</p>
<p>Please join us in welcoming Brian to the <span class="caps">CERT</span>s team and give him a call or email to introduce yourself!</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Brian Bluhm<br />
Northeast <span class="caps">CERT</span> Coordinator<br />
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency<br />
<a href="mailto:brian@cleanenergyresourceteams.org">brian@cleanenergyresourceteams.org</a><br />
320-295-1637</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We&#8217;d like to take another opportunity to thank Bill Mittlefehldt for <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/thank-you-retiring-northeast-cert-coordinator-bill-mittlefehldt">his eight years of work as the Northeast <span class="caps">CERT</span> Coordinator</a>. You rock!</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/brian-bluhm-intro.jpg?itok=R5yBzY_d" width="480" height="288" alt="Northeast CERT Coordinator Brian Bluhm" title="Northeast CERT Coordinator Brian Bluhm" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/VqnkwFPJqsM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Fri, 07 Oct 2016 15:08:31 +0000Joel Haskard5347 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/brian-bluhm-joins-certs-new-coordinator-northeastern-minnesotaRecord crowds get taste of Eco Experience at 2016 Minnesota State Fairhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/qNwT1BYwni8/record-crowds-get-taste-eco-experience-2016-minnesota-state-fair
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>The Minnesota State Fair set an attendance record of 1,943,719 this year, and the Eco Experience likely set a record of its own as more than 260,000 passed through its doors.</strong></p>
<p>At the center of the <a href="https://www.pca.state.mn.us/ecoexperience/2016">Eco Experience</a> was the Home Energy Exhibit, coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Commerce partnered with Minnesota utilities, state agencies, energy businesses, and nonprofits to provide consumers with engaging displays and features. The State Fair afforded Commerce and its partners the opportunity to speak with thousands of Minnesotans about energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy. It was a chance to move people further on the path to making their homes more comfortable, efficient, and safe.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/eco-experience-blog2.jpg" title="Community solar garden display in the Eco Experience Energy Home exhibit" alt="Community solar garden display in the Eco Experience Energy Home exhibit" /><br />
<em>Community solar garden display in the Eco Experience Energy Home exhibit.</em></p>
<p>One of the many popular displays was the <a href="http://mn.gov/solarapp">Minnesota Solar App</a>, which via two large screens allowed fairgoers to learn the solar potential of their property. Other venues featured <span class="caps">LED</span> lighting, home energy savings, home performance, and sustainable homes. Four new displays were well received, including the Zero Net Energy Home, What’s in Your Walls?, Green Pricing, and Save Water/Save Energy. These and others energy displays may find homes for viewing during the fair’s off-season.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/diana-solar.jpg" title="Metro CERT Director Diana McKeown staffs MN Solar App" alt="Metro CERT Director Diana McKeown staffs MN Solar App" /><br />
<em>Metro <span class="caps">CERT</span> Director Diana McKeown staffs MN Solar App.</em></p>
<p>The Home Energy Exhibit is intended to be educational and helps Minnesotans make informed choices about energy improvements. It demonstrates how conserving energy and investing in energy efficiency and clean energy will pay dividends to the consumer and the environment alike, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting utility bills, and enhancing the quality of life.</p>
<p>More than 5,000 <a href="http://mn.gov/commerce-stat/pdfs/home-energy-guide.pdf">Home Energy Guides</a> from Commerce and about 3,000 <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/lighting/guide">Right Light Guides</a> from <span class="caps">CERT</span>s were given out, along with other informational flyers and brochures.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/lighting-display.jpg" title="This year's energy efficiency lighting display" alt="This year's energy efficiency lighting display" /><br />
<em>This year&#8217;s energy efficiency lighting display.</em></p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/brightest-bulbs-dan-and-terry.jpg" title="Bright guys: Terry Webster with MN Dept. of Commerce and Dan Thiede with CERTs" alt="Bright guys: Terry Webster with MN Dept. of Commerce and Dan Thiede with CERTs" /><br />
<em>Bright guys: Terry Webster with MN Dept. of Commerce and Dan Thiede with <span class="caps">CERT</span>s.</em></p>
<p>Commerce would like to thank the many partners who helped make the Home Energy Exhibit a big success: Clean Energy Resources Teams (<span class="caps">CERT</span>s), CenterPoint Energy, Xcel Energy, Center for Energy and Environment, Neighborhood Energy Connection, Minnesota Building Performance Association, the Natural Built Home Store, Best Buy, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/lissa-csg.jpg" title="Lissa Pawlish with CERTs presents about community solar gardens" alt="Lissa Pawlish with CERTs presents about community solar gardens" /><br />
<em>Lissa Pawlish with <span class="caps">CERT</span>s presents about community solar gardens.</em></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/eco-experience-blog.jpg?itok=CuAwRFo7" width="480" height="288" alt="This year&#039;s Energy Home in the Minnesota State Fair Eco Experience building" title="This year&#039;s Energy Home in the Minnesota State Fair Eco Experience building" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/efficiency">Energy Efficiency</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/qNwT1BYwni8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 06 Oct 2016 17:29:33 +0000MN Dept. of Commerce5337 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/record-crowds-get-taste-eco-experience-2016-minnesota-state-fairCongrats to Minnesota's 40 Under 40 Award recipients for 2016!http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/l1eGB4qpumI/congrats-minnesotas-40-under-40-award-recipients-2016
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>Midwest Energy News’ <a href="http://midwestenergynews.com/2016-midwest-energy-news-40-under-40/">40 Under 40 award program</a> highlights emerging leaders throughout the region and their work in America’s transition to a clean energy economy.</strong></p>
<p>This year&#8217;s cohort of Midwest-based leaders and innovators from all sectors&#8212;industry, government, regulatory, business, academic, and advocacy&#8212;have just been announced. Below we&#8217;re highlighting the Minnesota winners, but you can <a href="http://midwestenergynews.com/2016-midwest-energy-news-40-under-40/">click here</a> to see all of them across the Midwest. Congrats!<br />
&nbsp; </p>
<table>
<tr style="background:#eeeeee;">
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Anderson-Matt-175px.jpg"><br />
Matthew Anderson</strong></h3><p><em>Vice President of Climate, National Audubon Society</em><br />
Matthew Anderson began as the Director of Audubon&#8217;s Climate Initiative in 2015. He joined Audubon in 2013 as the Executive Director of Audubon Minnesota. Anderson spent two and half years as Executive Director of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment. Before that, he directed the Creation Care Fund and served as the Director of Environmental and Rural Advocacy/Education for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and as Executive Director of Faith in the City, a multi-sector faith-based coalition. Anderson serves on the board of the The Regeneration Project. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in environmental studies.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Nina-Axelson_175px.jpg"><br />
Nina Axelson</strong></h3><p><em>VP of Public Relations, Ever-Green Energy</em><br />
Nina Axelson oversees public affairs for Ever-Green Energy and its affiliates. Axelson’s role includes community energy planning and authoring studies, including reports for the Department of Energy and International Energy Agency. This work also features education programming, including the development of a local education and sustainability platform. She also leads major initiatives for the organization, including project development and oversight of the nation’s largest solar thermal installation. Before joining Ever-Green, Axelson worked in community and business development with a focus on energy and the environment. Axelson holds a B.S. in natural resources and environmental studies from the University of Minnesota.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr style="background:#eeeeee;">
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Bell-Mathias-175px.jpg"><br />
Mathias Bell</strong></h3><p><em>Manager, Regulatory Affairs and Market Development, Opower &#8211; Oracle</em><br />
Mathias Bell leads the regulatory affairs work in the Midwest for Opower. Previously, Bell worked at the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit consulting organization, partnering with utilities, policymakers, and regulators on regulatory and business models for energy efficiency and other distributed energy resources. He is a co-author of <em>Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for a New Energy Era</em>. Bell is a graduate of Carleton College.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Blackler-Matthew-175px.jpg"><br />
Matthew Blackler</strong></h3><p><em>Founder, <span class="caps">ZEF</span> Energy</em><br />
Matthew Blackler has been living in Minnesota for four years, where he has worked with renewable energy, electric vehicles, and charging infrastructure. Previously, in London, he was part of an award-winning team that used geographical information software to create a platform for offshore renewables and resource planning. Since establishing <span class="caps">ZEF</span> Energy, he has joined forces with other technology experts to form Power Over Time, a smart grid firm. Power Over Time specializes in the mass control of electrical devices with high power demand, such as electric water heaters, air conditioners, and electric vehicles. This allows better power utilization and, ultimately, the opportunity to provide regulation services that allow for deep integration of renewables in the United States’ electrical grid.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr style="background:#eeeeee;">
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Julia-Eagles-175px.jpg"><br />
Julia Eagles</strong></h3><p><em>Public Policy and Strategy Manager, Xcel Energy</em><br />
Julia Eagles is a Public Policy and Strategy Manager at Xcel Energy. In this capacity, she works on evolving utility business models, coordinating company regulatory strategies, and preparing comments on state and federal energy policy. Before joining Xcel Energy, Eagles spent eight years working for local energy and environmental organizations. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Macalester College. In her free time she enjoys biking, cross-country skiing, taking trips to beautiful locations, and growing and eating good food.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Franzen-Nathan-175px.jpg"><br />
Nathan Franzen</strong></h3><p><em>Vice President of Solar Development, Geronimo Energy</em><br />
Nathan Franzen has over fourteen years of solar development experience, including extensive knowledge of solar project design, permitting, project finance, interconnection and construction management. He successfully developed some of the first commercial-scale solar projects in Minnesota, and owns and operates several distributed projects. Before joining the Geronimo team, Franzen created and led Westwood Professional Services’ Utility Scale Solar Division, which is now one of the nation’s top photovoltaic design firms. In his current role, Franzen manages the Geronimo solar department and all aspects of Geronimo’s 450 MW solar portfolio. This includes the 100 MW Aurora Distributed Solar project, which received global industry and media attention for its success in competing directly against natural gas competitors in an all-source request for proposal process – a first in the nation. Franzen has a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr style="background:#eeeeee;">
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Gulati-Tanuj-175px.jpg"><br />
Tanuj Gulati</strong></h3><p><em>Senior Energy Engineer, Energy Insight, Inc.</em><br />
Tanuj Gulati has more than 10 years of experience in the energy efficiency field. Gulati moved to the United States from India in the early 2000s and earned an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Louisiana. He has continued his professional growth with Energy Insight, Inc., earning numerous Association of Energy Engineers (<span class="caps">AEE</span>) certifications (<span class="caps">CEM</span>, <span class="caps">CEA</span>, <span class="caps">CDSM</span>, and <span class="caps">CLEP</span>). Gulati was named AEE’s Region <span class="caps">III</span> Energy Innovator of the Year 2016 at the World Energy Engineering Congress in Washington, D.C. Gulati is active in <span class="caps">ASHRAE</span>, <span class="caps">WEEC</span> and other industry groups and is an accredited Green Globe Auditor.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Lindgren-Mallory-175px.jpg"><br />
Mallory Lindgren</strong></h3><p></strong><em>Director, Power Generation Strategy, Westwood Professional Services</em><br />
Mallory Lindgren is from Faribault, Minnesota and lives in the Twin Cities. She has worked for Westwood Professional Services since 2007, and currently serves as the organization’s Director of Power Generation Strategy, overseeing strategy for the wind and solar markets. Lindgren holds a B.S. in hydrology from Saint Cloud State University.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr style="background:#eeeeee;">
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/sarasmithphoto-175px.jpg"><br />
Sara Smith</strong></h3><p><em>Sustainable Operations Manager, Metropolitan Council<br />
</em> Sara Smith’s professional vision is to help bridge the gap between policy and the world of science and engineering, focusing her efforts on ensuring clean air and water for future generations. Smith has worked for the Metropolitan Council for nine years. In her tenure at the council, she has worked on drinking water supply, energy conservation, renewable energy renewable, fleet concerns, and waste management projects and policy for both the Twin Cities metro region and entire state of Minnesota. Smith holds a B.A. in geology from Carleton College and an M.S. in science, technology, and the environment from the Hubert Humphrey Institute of Public Policy at the University of Minnesota.</p> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td> <h3><strong><img align="right" src="http://e67ti2w9ws71al8xmnhsozd3.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/files/2016/09/Stojan-Ruccolo-Erin-175px.jpg"><br />
Erin Stojan Ruccolo</strong></h3><p><em>Policy and Strategic Issues Management Advisor, Midcontinent Independent Service Operator (<span class="caps">MISO</span>)</em><br />
Minnesota&#8217;s strong solar policy owes much to Erin Stojan Ruccolo’s effort and determination. As Electricity Markets Director for Fresh Energy she was a driving force behind the development of Minnesota&#8217;s landmark solar legislation, including the creation of community solar gardens and the value of solar tariff. Stojan Ruccolo negotiated with stakeholders on community solar gardens, analyzed competing legislative drafts, and helped coordinate coalition positions for clean energy and jobs.</p> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<p>&nbsp; <br />
<a href="http://midwestenergynews.com/2016-midwest-energy-news-40-under-40/"><strong>Click here to see all of the 40 Under 40 Award recipients across the Midwest &gt;&gt;</strong></a></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/40-under-40_1.jpg?itok=AF9ucvPr" width="480" height="288" alt="Midwest Energy News 40 Under 40 award program" title="Midwest Energy News 40 Under 40 award program" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/central">Central</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/metro">Metro</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/northwest">Northwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/southeast">Southeast</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/regions/southwest">Southwest</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/west-central">West Central</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/l1eGB4qpumI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 05 Oct 2016 19:21:55 +0000Dan Thiede5334 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/congrats-minnesotas-40-under-40-award-recipients-2016Duluth's Lake Superior Harvest Festival a sustainable successhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/Vqnav3PMe74/duluths-lake-superior-harvest-festival-sustainable-success
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>The 23rd Annual <a href="http://www.sfa-mn.org/harvest-festival/">Lake Superior Harvest Festival</a> took place at Duluth&#8217;s Bayfront Festival Park on Saturday, September 10th. Nearly 6,000 people attend this popular event to chat with their favorite local farmers, pick up delicious local produce, jams and baked goods, and explore local arts and crafts vendors. In addition, the Harvest Festival featured the always-popular Energy Tent!</strong> </p>
<p>The Energy Tent was headed up by Minnesota Power, and housed a number of energy-related organizations, including: Clean Energy Resource Teams (<span class="caps">CERT</span>s), Ecolibrium3, Zenergy, Northern Energetics, Comfort Systems, <span class="caps">UMD</span> Office of Sustainability, the Natural Resources Research Institute, Wagner Zaun Architects, the Minnesota Department of Commerce &#8211; Division of Energy Resources, Your Home Improvement Company, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/harvest-festival-1.JPG" title="The Energy Tent at Harvest Festival" alt="The Energy Tent at Harvest Festival" /><br />
<em>The Energy Tent at Harvest Festival.</em></p>
<p>Visitors to the Energy Tent were engaged with current research on energy efficiency and renewables, inspired by clean energy success stories, and motivated to take action with clean energy resources. “We talked to thousands of people between all of our booths in the Energy Tent. It was one great day to be in Duluth and at Harvest Festival,” noted Paul Helstrom, Renewable Program Lead with Minnesota Power. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/harvest-fest-energy-tent.jpg" alt="" /><br />
<em>Alyssa Kresky with Minnesota Power and her friend being Energy Heroes at the Harvest Festival Energy Tent.</em></p>
<p>The Georgetown University Energy Prize, a national competition the City of Duluth is participating to save energy, was a highlight. Each of the Georgetown University Energy Prize partners (ComfortSystems, Minnesota Power, and Ecolibrium3) sponsored an activity as part of an Energy Challenge. The idea was for visitors to stop by each of these booths, complete an activity, and receive stamp in their &#8220;passport&#8221; for a chance to win a prize.</p>
<p>Ecolibrium3, a Duluth nonprofit with a focus on clean energy, sponsored an Energy Challenge. The Energy Challenge is an obstacle course with energy saving activities such as choosing the right light bulb, caulking a line, becoming window aware, insulating a pipe, setting the thermostat, installing an aerator, and identifying some energy-saving items (programmable thermostat, furnace filter, refrigerator coil brush). Groups of visitors participated in the Energy Challenge together, with time allowed to discuss and ask questions. After completing the Energy Challenge visitors received an energy kit, provided by ComfortSystems and Minnesota Power, which included <span class="caps">LED</span> lamps, <span class="caps">LED</span> Holiday lights, a low flow shower head and aerator, and a roll of air sealing foam.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/harvest-festival-2.JPG" title="Energy Challenge from Ecolibrium3 at Harvest Festival" alt="Energy Challenge from Ecolibrium3 at Harvest Festival" /><br />
<em>Energy Challenge from Ecolibrium3 at Harvest Festival.</em></p>
<p>Shannon Laing, Director of Partnership Development at Ecolibrium3, said of the event, &#8220;The thing I was happy to see was so many families. The parents would have their kids do the Challenge with them, thinking the kids needed to learn stuff but they ended up learning as much (or more) than the kids. Lots of good education and opportunity to have more extensive conversations about energy saving activities and lots of opportunity to let people know about the Georgetown Energy Prize Competition.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>More information on the Duluth&#8217;s actions towards winning the Georgetown University Energy Prize is available on Ecolibrium3&#8217;s <a href="http://www.duluthenergy.org/">Duluth Energy website</a>. And learn more about the Annual <a href="http://www.sfa-mn.org/harvest-festival/">Lake Superior Harvest Festival</a> on their website and on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/165700373837258/">Facebook</a>.</strong></p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/harvest-festival-3.JPG" title="Solar-powered tiny house at Harvest Festival" alt="Solar-powered tiny house at Harvest Festival" /><br />
<em>Solar-powered tiny house at Harvest Festival.</em></p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/harvestfestival.jpg?itok=nDiv019V" width="480" height="288" alt="Lake Superior Harvest Festival" title="Lake Superior Harvest Festival" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/northeast">Northeast</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/electric-vehicles">Electric Vehicles</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/civic-organizations">Civic Organizations</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/Vqnav3PMe74" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Thu, 29 Sep 2016 20:36:36 +0000Brian Bluhm5321 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/duluths-lake-superior-harvest-festival-sustainable-successCentral CERT Coordinator heats her "Shopfice" with solar furnacehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~3/w4PN4cNBF8s/central-cert-coordinator-heats-her-shopfice-solar-furnace
<div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"> <p><strong>I have always wanted a space of my own to work on my varied and numerous projects&#8212;everything from painting to furniture restoration to various excuses to use all of my power tools. A need to store work equipment and tools helped push me to action, so three years ago I finished half of my detached two-stall garage in order to create this space.</strong><br />
&nbsp; </p>
<h3>Introducing the Shopfice</h3>
<p>I super-insulated the walls and attic and added a patio door inside the garage door to create a weather-tight envelope that lets lots of light in, but was camouflaged as a mild looking garage when not in use. It was a fun project, and one I loved the results of. I work much of the time from home, and started spending many of my days working in what I began to call my &#8220;Shopfice.&#8221;</p>
<h3>My first attempt at renewable heating</h3>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/SarahHayden.jpg" align="right" title="Sarah Hayden Shaw, Central CERT Coordinator" alt="Sarah Hayden Shaw, Central CERT Coordinator" /> I also installed in my Shopfice the smallest and most efficient freestanding woodstove I could find. When that first winter set in, I got up early each morning and ran out and started a fire so the Shopfice would be warm enough to work in by the start of the workday. No matter how small I made the fire, I was way overheated by 9:30 and had to leave the door open. Not exactly what I had in mind. I tried and tried to get the hang of keeping a small tightly insulated space comfortable with wood, and largely failed to do so. Then I heard from my insurance adjuster and discovered our home insurance was going up $300 per year because of the presence of the wood stove. Ouch. I bowed my head in defeat and disconnected the wood stove. In its place I used an electric space heater. I am an energy auditor by trade, and since electric space heaters are possibly the most inefficient and expensive way to bring warmth to a space, I cringed every time I turned it on.</p>
<h3>Heating with solar</h3>
<p>This summer I opted instead to install a simple solar air heat (<span class="caps">SAH</span>) system on the shop. These are systems that when called for take air from a heated space, pull it into the solar collector, and return warmed air back into the space. The cost of the single 8’x4’ panel <span class="caps">SAH</span> system was about the same cost as running a natural gas line and installing a small gas heater, $4,000. This system has not been through a winter yet, but my calculations predict the <span class="caps">SAH</span> system will produce enough heat so that my space heater set at 45 degrees will never&#8212;or very rarely&#8212;need to kick on. I will still likely need to use the space heater for spot heating at times.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/shopfice-content.jpg" title="Solar air heat system on Sarah Hayden Shaw's Shopfice" alt="Solar air heat system on Sarah Hayden Shaw's Shopfice" /><br />
<em>Solar air heat system on Sarah Hayden Shaw&#8217;s &#8220;Shopfice.&#8221;</em></p>
<h3>Cost savings</h3>
<p>In previous years the cost to run the space heater has been about $300 per year, and I anticipate the <span class="caps">SAH</span> system will eliminate 75% of the space heat load, so it can be valued at $225 per year. I will receive a <a href="https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/energy/solar/mim/">Made in Minnesota Rebate</a> (<span class="caps">MIM</span>) because I purchased a system manufactured here in Minnesota, as well as a <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/interview-commissioner-rothman-discusses-clean-energy-tax-credit-extensions">30% federal tax credit</a>. The gas heater would have had no incentives and higher ongoing operation cost, so in comparing the two, the <span class="caps">SAH</span> system makes much more sense financially.</p>
<p>Here is how the numbers bear out for simple solar air heat (<span class="caps">SAH</span>):
<ul>
<li>Cost: $4,417</li>
<li><span class="caps">MIM</span> rebate amount: $1,104.25</li>
<li>Federal tax credit amount: $1,325.00</li>
<li>Total cost: $1,987.65</li>
<li>Annual savings: $225.00</li>
<li>Payback: 8.8 years</li>
</ul></p>
<p>Alternately, replacing the electric space heater with a gas heater would have the following finances:
<ul>
<li>Cost: $4,000.00</li>
<li>Rebates: $0.00</li>
<li>Annual savings: $150.00</li>
<li>Payback: 26.7 years</li>
</ul></p>
<p>Although 8.8 years is a respectable payback, if money alone was the factor, it might have been tempting to just keep blasting my $68 space heater, but in addition to my extreme aversion to wasting energy, safety also factored into my decision, and leaving an electric space heater unattended doesn’t sit well with me. Clearly the gas furnace is not a financially smart way to go.</p>
<h3>Sunny summary</h3>
<p>This has been a fun project, allowing me to look for creative ways to use less energy. I look forward to a toasty warm, guilt-free winter this year in my Shopfice! <a href="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/partners-staff#Sarah-Hayden-Shaw">Drop me a line</a> if you are in Brainerd and want to come see it in action!</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/shopfice-blog.jpg?itok=EfcW1jK0" width="480" height="288" alt="Solar air heat system on Sarah Hayden Shaw&#039;s &quot;Shopfice&quot;" title="Solar air heat system on Sarah Hayden Shaw&#039;s &quot;Shopfice&quot;" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-answers-post-region field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">Region:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/regions/central">Central</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-technology field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/technology/solar">Solar Energy</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/technology/solar/thermal">Solar Thermal</a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-community field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/project-planning/residents">Residents &amp; Neighborhoods</a></div></div></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/CERTsBlog/~4/w4PN4cNBF8s" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Wed, 28 Sep 2016 21:40:55 +0000Sarah Hayden Shaw5323 at http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.orghttp://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/blog/central-cert-coordinator-heats-her-shopfice-solar-furnace